Neurology

Neurology

Although the first thing that comes to mind when neurology is mentioned is brain diseases, disorders of the spinal cord, the central and peripheral nervous systems, and the muscles are within neurology’s field of interest. Due to the complex structure of the nervous system, there are hundreds of different neurological disorders.

At Daviva Health Group’s Neurology Department, diagnosis and treatment of neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s, types of dementia, stroke, Parkinson’s disease, meningitis, epilepsy, and migraine are provided by an expert medical team.

What Is Neurology?

Neurology is the branch of medicine that diagnoses and treats disorders and diseases of the nervous system. The nervous system consists of the central nervous system, which includes the brain and spinal cord, and the peripheral nervous system, which transmits signals between the central nervous system and the rest of the body.

Neurology is a medical science focused on the command center that controls every bodily function, from movement to thought, from sensation to organ regulation.

What Conditions Does Neurology Treat?

• Migraine: A headache that is usually felt as severe throbbing or pulsating pain on one side of the head. Migraine is much more than a typical headache. During migraine attacks, sensitivity to light, sound, and odors may increase. Nausea is common during migraine attacks. There are certain differences that distinguish migraine from other headaches. Some symptoms may occur before migraine attacks begin, called the prodrome. Frequent yawning, food cravings, or frequent urination are a few of these symptoms. Some people may experience symptoms during migraine attacks called aura, such as seeing bright lights, vision loss, or tingling in the arms and legs. Migraine attacks can last between 4 and 72 hours. Severe, frequent, or migraine with neurological symptoms is usually preventively treated with a combination of dietary changes, lifestyle changes, vitamins, and daily prescription medications.
• Headaches: In addition to migraine, headaches can occur for many different reasons. Most are not life-threatening. Tension-type headaches are the most common type of headache. They are usually bilateral, non-throbbing, and accompanied by a feeling of tightness in the scalp or neck. Cluster headaches are also a common type of headache. They begin suddenly and without warning and peak within a few minutes. Pain usually starts around the eye or temple area. In cluster headache, the pain is always one-sided. In addition, chronic headaches, medication-induced headaches, and allergy-related headaches are common. However, headaches caused by conditions such as aneurysm, brain tumors, and temporal arteritis can be life-threatening. These headaches are often described as lightning-like pain that starts suddenly.
• Alzheimer’s: A type of dementia that affects memory, thinking, and behavior. It usually occurs after the age of 65. However, it begins years before symptoms appear. The most common early sign of Alzheimer’s disease is difficulty remembering newly learned information. As Alzheimer’s progresses, it leads to increasingly severe symptoms such as disorientation, mood and behavior changes, worsening confusion about events, time, and place, unfounded suspicions, and difficulty speaking, swallowing, and walking. There is no definitive cure for Alzheimer’s disease. However, in recent years, medications have been developed that are especially effective against proteins that accumulate in the brain and are thought to cause Alzheimer’s disease.

People experiencing memory loss or other possible signs of Alzheimer’s may have difficulty realizing that they have a problem. Dementia symptoms may be more noticeable to family members or friends. When these symptoms are noticed, a neurologist who specializes in this field should be consulted without delay.

• Dementia: Dementia, commonly known as senility, is not a natural part of aging. Many different diseases can cause dementia. The most common among them is Alzheimer’s disease. Memory loss is one of the early signs of dementia. However, memory loss alone does not necessarily mean dementia. In addition to memory loss, difficulty expressing thoughts, trouble following instructions, and difficulty reading, writing, or understanding words are among the other symptoms of dementia. There is no definitive cure for dementia. However, its effects can be reduced with medications and lifestyle changes.
• Epilepsy: Also commonly known as seizure disorder. It is a neurological condition characterized by a predisposition to seizures that originate in the brain. However, not every seizure means epilepsy. Patients with diabetes may also experience similar seizures when their blood sugar is low. Seizures can vary depending on which part of the brain is affected, due to changes in electrical activity in the brain. In general, epileptic seizures begin with a sudden loss of consciousness. Then the person’s body stiffens and muscle twitching occurs. In children, epileptic seizures may occur in a similar way. However, blank staring, loss of expression, lack of response, blinking, or upward eye movements are signs that may be seen in epileptic seizures in children. Most people with epilepsy can control their condition with antiepileptic medications and by avoiding triggering factors.
• Parkinson’s Disease: A progressive brain disorder that damages dopamine-producing neurons. It is commonly associated with hand tremors. However, in addition to tremor, symptoms such as muscle stiffness, slow movement, depression, or sleep problems unrelated to movement may also be signs of Parkinson’s disease. Although Parkinson’s disease itself is not fatal, its complications can be serious. Although there is no definitive cure for Parkinson’s disease, treatment options vary. Medications, lifestyle changes, and Parkinson’s surgery are among the treatment options.
• Stroke: Also known as paralysis, stroke is a disruption in the transmission of nerve impulses between the brain and muscles. Stroke is a dangerous medical condition that can be fatal for the patient. Stroke can present with various symptoms. Signs of stroke may include sudden headache, facial asymmetry, speech impairment, loss of balance, and weakness in the arms or legs. Stroke requires emergency medical intervention and can lead to permanent damage if not treated quickly.
• Multiple Sclerosis (MS): An autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system, meaning the brain and spinal cord. In MS, the immune system attacks the protective covering called myelin that surrounds the brain and spinal cord, causing damage. Depending on which part of the central nervous system is affected by this attack, MS symptoms may vary accordingly. Visual disturbances, muscle weakness, and numbness on one side of the face or body may be among the first signs of MS. Recurrent and remitting MS attacks may occur, and there are also progressive types of MS. There is no definitive cure for MS. Treatment is aimed at managing symptoms and reducing complications.
• Neuropathy: A condition in which nerve damage anywhere in the body outside the brain and spinal cord causes pain, weakness, numbness, or tingling. There are different types of neuropathy depending on the affected part of the body, the cause of the nerve damage, or the number of affected nerves. Peripheral neuropathy, which affects the feet, legs, hands, and arms, is the most common type. Treatment for neuropathy varies depending on the cause. Depending on the cause, medication or physiotherapy may form the basis of treatment.
• Muscle Diseases: Generally inherited diseases that cause muscle weakness. Since they are rare in the population, they are classified as rare diseases. However, there are hundreds of subtypes of muscle diseases. Therefore, when muscle diseases are considered under a general category, they affect a significant portion of the community. ALS, SMA, myopathy, myasthenia gravis, and Guillain-Barré syndrome are among the best-known muscle diseases. Symptoms may vary depending on the type of muscle disease. In general, muscle diseases may present with different symptoms such as gradually worsening muscle weakness, breathing problems, shortness of breath, loss of strength, neck stiffness, numbness, drooping eyelids, and balance problems.
• Sleep Apnea: A sleep disorder involving repeated breathing interruptions during sleep. The most common symptoms of sleep apnea include loud snoring, shortness of breath, choking spells, and excessive daytime sleepiness. It can be diagnosed with polysomnography, that is, a sleep study. Sleep apnea can be treated with a CPAP device that provides air pressure during sleep, oral appliances, lifestyle changes, and surgical methods in appropriate patients.
• Hydrocephalus: A condition caused by the buildup of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain’s ventricles, putting pressure on the brain. In infants, hydrocephalus leads to enlargement of the head, while in adults it presents with walking difficulties, memory problems, and problems with toilet control. Medication or neurosurgical operations are the first steps in treatment.
• Restless Legs Syndrome: A condition that usually manifests as an urge to move the legs while sleeping or resting. It causes sleep disturbances. Iron deficiency and changes in dopamine levels may cause restless legs syndrome. If it is due to these causes, restless legs syndrome can be treated by correcting iron deficiency and balancing dopamine levels. If it is not due to these, it can be treated with medication and lifestyle changes.

What Are the Neurological Diagnosis and Testing Methods?

• Magnetic Resonance (MRI) and Computed Tomography (CT): CT imaging is especially used to identify stroke, brain trauma, or a problem in the nervous system. MRI imaging is used more often to shape the diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer’s, dementia, MS, and Parkinson’s disease.
• EEG (Electroencephalography): A test that measures electrical activity in the brain. The electrical activity of brain cells is recorded through electrodes attached to the scalp. EEG is especially used in the diagnosis of epilepsy. However, it is also used in the diagnosis of other brain disorders.
• EMG (Electromyography): A test that measures electrical activity in the muscles and the muscles’ response. It helps identify neuromuscular abnormalities.
• Lumbar Puncture: Commonly known as taking fluid from the lower back. It is the procedure of draining cerebrospinal fluid through a special needle inserted between the vertebrae in the lower back. It is performed for the diagnosis of hydrocephalus and for CSF analysis when meningitis, MS, or infection is suspected.
• MMSE Test: Known as the Mini-Mental State Examination. It is performed as a question-and-answer session with the patient to check cognitive impairment. It may be used to identify Alzheimer’s or other types of dementia, or to detect cognitive damage after head trauma.
• Sleep Test (Polysomnography): A test used to diagnose sleep disorders. It is performed while the person is fully asleep. It lasts throughout the night. During the sleep test, heart rate, brain waves, body position, eye movements, limb movements, breathing patterns, blood oxygen level, and snoring are recorded. These recorded data are later evaluated by a specialist neurologist. It is most commonly used to diagnose sleep apnea.
• VEP Test: Measures the time it takes for nerves to send electrical signals from the eyes to the brain’s visual cortex. It analyzes brain waves generated in response to visual stimuli such as a checkerboard pattern. In this way, it evaluates the integrity of the visual pathway. The VEP test is often helpful in diagnosing MS (multiple sclerosis), optic neuritis, or tumor-related damage.
• SEP Test: A test performed to determine how the brain and spinal cord transmit sensory communications such as touch. The SEP test can be used more often in the diagnosis of MS, peripheral nerve damage, and herniated discs in the lower back and neck.